Which was the first republic of the former Soviet Union to declare itself independent?

Explanation

Lithuania was the first republic to declare itself independent from the former Soviet Union (USSR). <table> <tr> <th>Country</th> <th>Date of independence from the USSR</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Lithuania —</td> <td>11 March, 1990</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Georgia —</td> <td>9 April, 1991</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Estonia —</td> <td>20 August, 1991</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ukraine —</td> <td>24 August, 1991</td> </tr> </table>